Pro Light & Sound to expand for 2016

WORLD: Starting from 2016, Messe Frankfurt has announced that Pro Light & Sound will occupy Halls 1, 3, 4, and 5, as well as the Congress Centre and outdoor exhibition areas at the Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre. The MI-focused Musikmesse aspect of the show will also now be open to private visitors across all days. Next year’s Pro Light & Sound will take place from 5 to 8 April 2016 and Musikmesse from 7 to 10 April 2016. The opening hours are also changing to 10.00 to 19.00 on all days.

‘We are acting from a position of strength and want to expand Pro Light & Sound hand-in-hand with the sector and for the sector,’ commented Stephan Kurzawski, senior vice president, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH. ‘To this end, we need more space, which the eastern section of the exhibition centre offers.’

The expanded PL&S footprint will cover six exhibition halls, two outdoor arenas, a new indoor arena and an even bigger area of outdoor exhibition space than in previous years. Musikmesse 2016 will therefore be relocated to Halls 8, 9 and 11 of the exhibition centre. The organiser intends to increase its appeal to music lovers by opening to private visitors across all days. To ensure the trade-aspect remains, a business hall with access for members of the trade only will provide those visitors and exhibitors with more room and contact areas for undisturbed business discussions.

‘A strong organiser is essential for Musikmesse, especially in a challenging environment. Therefore, we will invest more than ever before in the development of the fair,’ enthused Detlef Braun, member of the executive board of Messe Frankfurt. ‘The feedback we have received has strengthened our resolve to stick with both Frankfurt as the venue and the spring-time dates. At the same time, we will strengthen both international aspects and the programme and portfolio for musicians and music lovers. The sector needs an independent, financially strong and internationally experienced organiser who can guarantee that Musikmesse will take place.’

When high-definition TVs (HD or 1080p) first entered the market, only three HDTV channels were available. Fast forward five years, the number of channels grew to 40. Today, over 20 years since the HD breakthrough, most streamed content is available …